The new pope is pretty much all we’re talking about in the Barber home these days.
The minute white smoke poured from the chimney, my husband ordered a Vatican flag to hang proudly in front of our house.
And as soon as we found out our new Holy Father hails from our hometown of Chicago, he ordered a print of Pope Leo XIV to hang on the wall.
We could not be more proud of our local pope or love him more. Naturally, we’ve been talking about him a lot with our kids.
My kids love Pope Leo too, and these are some of their favorite stories about him. I hope you enjoy sharing them with your children or students!
1His favorite childhood game
As a child, Pope Leo loved “playing priest,” something many Catholic children do! He would use his mother's ironing board as an altar, cover it with a tablecloth, and use Necco wafers as pretend communion hosts. His brother shared this sweet memory:
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My children immediately felt connected to him through this story. They've done the same thing with crackers! It's a beautiful reminder that God plants the seeds of our vocations early.
Ask your kids: “What games do you play that might be showing what God is calling you to do when you grow up?”
2His appreciation for something sweet
Have you seen that adorable interview with Cardinal Tagle about sneaking candy into the conclave? Not only did he bring treats to both this conclave and the 2013 one, but he even shared some with our new Pope!
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My children erupted in giggles at the thought of cardinals sneaking candy the way they sometimes try to do! They loved hearing that Cardinal Tagle offered some to Pope Leo to calm his nerves when he realized he had been chosen. It's a wonderful reminder that even the most important people get nervous sometimes, and that a friendly gesture can make difficult moments easier.
Ask your kids: “When have you shown kindness to someone who was feeling nervous or scared?”
3His love for sports
As avid sports fans, my kids were delighted to learn that Pope Leo loves sports too.
He is reportedly a fan of AS Roma, the Italian soccer club, and the Chicago White Sox baseball team. In fact, he regularly followed the White Sox, including attending Game 1 of the 2005 World Series.
He also enjoys tennis, and not just watching it! He’s known to be a pretty good amateur tennis player and said that he would be up for a charity match. We would certainly enjoy watching and rooting for him.
And he offered some good advice that most kids could stand to hear. In a meeting, Italian tennis player Jannik Sinner handed the pope a tennis racket and ball before asking him to play. Pope Leo laughingly replied, “Here we’ll break something. Best not to!” So just a reminder, kids: No playing ball inside!
Ask your kids: “What's your favorite sport to play or watch? Why do you think being active and playing fair in sports helps us grow in character?”
4His childhood chores
Next time your children complain about setting the table or folding laundry, share that Pope Leo had plenty of chores as a kid too!
Pope Leo’s brother told the New York Times how their mother made sure the brothers did their chores and learned to cook and clean:
Mrs. Prevost made sure to drill her sons in practical matters, the younger Louis Prevost said. He remembers standing in the family kitchen as his mother explained the steps of a recipe, making any one of her favorites: goulash, chicken Lo Mein, homemade pizza or roast beef.
“We learned how to cook, we learned how to clean, we learned how to iron clothes,” he said. “She taught us all the skills needed to be on your own and support yourself.”
Ask your kids: “Which chores might have helped Pope Leo the most in becoming responsible? Which of your chores might be helping you grow?”
5His classmates' memories
Pope Leo has always been known for his intelligence, but even more for his kindness.
Pope Leo’s former classmate Peggy Wurtz told USA Today that even back then he was known for his brains:
During a fifth-grade science fair, Wurtz set up her project on tooth decay next to his. After struggling to answer some questions from a judge, she watched him win first prize.
“I didn't want to look stupid in front of him, even though he would never have judged me or said anything,” she said. “His intelligence intimidated me.”
But what stands out most in her memory wasn't his academic brilliance, but his character:
“Robert was just always a gentle soul” with a calm demeanor and serene smile, Wurtz said.
Having recently taken part in a science fair, my kids loved knowing the Pope did too when he was their age! And we talked about how the Pope was known even more for being kind than for being smart.
Ask your kids: “Do you think it’s more important to be remembered for being smart or for being kind? Why?”
Our hometown Holy Father
Kind, hardworking, bright, and devoted to God since childhood? That’s a role model we want for our kids. Hopefully these relatable stories can inspire our kids to dream big and always follow God’s call for them!
As his papacy unfolds, I look forward to sharing more stories about our hometown Holy Father with both my family and yours. What's your favorite story about Pope Leo XIV? Please share in the comments below!
